JBS Friboi fire spurs plans to triple production
Brazilian Food and tannery group JBS are planning to triple the production at their Friboi facility in Mato Grosso.
Following a fire that destroyed approximately 70% of the production plant on June 11, expansion work is expected to be completed by the end of the year, permitting the recommencement of operations.
With a planned investment of 800 million reais (around $167 million), the increased production will see the creation of 1,400 new jobs at the site in Diamantino, doubling the current workforce.
JBS currently employs 9,500 people in Mato Grosso, speculated to increase to 11,000 following the expansion.
Speaking to local media, president of Friboi Renato Costa said: "We will have a capacity of three thousand six hundred oxen per day, trying to verticalize the production as much as possible and bring the most modern equipment and all structure to bring to Mato Grosso what Mato Grosso represents not only in Brazil, but in the world. We are quite pleased, despite the tragedy, to be able to make a robust investment within the state. We are very optimistic."
Investigations into the fire are ongoing.
